Cinema is an art form that has been around since the late 1890s. It involves visual storytelling through moving images that are projected onto a screen to create a narrative that can be experienced by an audience. Literature, on the other hand, refers to written works, including novels, short stories, poems, plays, and more. Both cinema and literature have had a significant impact on society's perception of sexuality. They have influenced internalized scripts for sexual behavior, intimacy, and relational dynamics. This article will explore how cinematic and literary portrayals of sexuality shape these aspects of human behavior.
Cinema and literature often present idealized versions of love, romance, and sexuality. These portrayals can influence viewers' and readers' expectations of what their own relationships should look like.
Romantic comedies often depict meet cutes, where strangers fall in love quickly after meeting each other. In reality, building a relationship takes time and effort. Similarly, many books and movies show characters having passionate, fulfilling sex lives without discussing protection or birth control. Realistically, it is important to talk about contraception and STD prevention before engaging in sexual activity.
Another way cinematic and literary portrayals of sexuality affect internalized scripts is through the use of tropes. A trope is a common theme or device used repeatedly in stories. One such trope is the "fade to black," which occurs when a scene cuts away from two people kissing or otherwise being intimate. The fade to black suggests that the couple has engaged in sex, even though nothing explicit was shown. This can create unrealistic expectations about the frequency and intensity of sex in real-life relationships.
Cinema and literature also often depict heteronormativity as the norm. Heteronormativity refers to the idea that heterosexuality is the only acceptable form of sexuality. Many films and books feature straight couples exclusively, with little to no representation of LGBTQ+ individuals. This can make viewers and readers feel alienated if they do not identify as heterosexual. It can also contribute to stigma against non-heteronormative identities.
Cinematic and literary portrayals of sexuality influence our internalized scripts for behavior, intimacy, and relational dynamics. They present idealized versions of love, romance, and sex that are rarely achievable in reality. These portrayals can create unrealistic expectations and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about gender roles and sexuality.
By becoming aware of these influences, we can challenge them and work towards more authentic and healthy relationships.
In what ways do cinematic and literary portrayals of sexuality influence internalized scripts for sexual behavior, intimacy, and relational dynamics?
The portrayal of sexually explicit content in cinema has been on the rise over recent years. The representation of characters' sexual encounters, behaviors, and desires are often shown through graphic depictions of nudity and sexual acts. These images can influence an individual's perception of how they should act when it comes to their own romantic and sexual relationships.